The exhibition will return to the United States after an absence of five years, making Detroit the fourth U.S. location to host this experience. Previous U.S. locations included New York, California and Washington, D.C. 1001 Inventions features a diverse range of engaging and educational experiences to reveal groundbreaking achievements stretching from Spain to China during a period often referred to as the “Dark Ages” in Europe.

Image from a previous 1001 inventions Exhibition

Through more than 60 exhibits, short films, live science shows, hands-on workshops and learning resources, MiSci visitors will be introduced to the Golden Age of Science in Muslim Civilization and the achievements of both women and men of different cultures and faiths during the period leading up to the European Renaissance. These innovations built upon the knowledge of ancient civilizations and offered breakthroughs that still influence our world today.

The pace of technological innovation has accelerated rapidly during the last century, and there is a strong case to be made that the Detroit area is one of the current epicenters of innovation,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, Michigan Science Center president and CEO. “The things that give us all pride in our city - hard work, curiosity, diversity, and the drive to go beyond our own expectations – were also hallmarks of the successes of Muslim Civilization during the Golden Age. We are honored to host this award-winning exhibition and hope it inspires all children and all communities to be curious and to discover and explore careers in STEM.”

1001 Inventions is delighted to launch at the Michigan Science Center,” said Ahmed Salim, co-founder and director of 1001 Inventions. “This is an exciting, myth-busting exhibition that aims to inspire ambition in young people to find solutions to societal challenges of today, and help build a better future for our world."

1001 Inventions is designed to incite curiosity and inspire creativity and innovation among the next generation and to support a growing economy focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. The exhibition provides exciting learning opportunities inspiring the study of STEM, while promoting intercultural appreciation and fostering mutual understanding and social inclusion.

The Golden Age of Science in Muslim Civilization was an era when people of diverse cultures, faiths and backgrounds worked for the common good,” said Dr. Dima El-Gamal of The Friends of 1001 Inventions Michigan – an active local community group whose efforts helped to bring the exhibition to Michigan and make it free to all visitors of the Michigan Science Center. “We believe that this exhibition will showcase our diversity, improve community cohesion, encourage curiosity and contribute to revitalizing Detroit.”

Entry to 1001 Inventions will be free for the general public and all school groups with the purchase of general admission, which includes access to 250+ hands-on exhibits, live stage shows, lab activities and more. The exhibit closes on January 7, 2018.

MiSci has been honored to be part of Detroit’s resurgence over the last few years, and we are eager to take this opportunity to attract museum visitors from all over Michigan, as well as the entire Midwest region and across the Canadian border,” said Dr. Matthews.

Initially launched at the London Science Museum in 2010, 1001 Inventions was voted “Best Touring Exhibition 2011.” It has visited more than 30 cities around the world and has earned the endorsement of organizations such as UNESCO and National Geographic.

The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) inspires nearly 300,000 curious minds of all ages every year through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) discovery, innovation and interactive education in Detroit and across the state of Michigan. As the STEM hub of the state, MiSci focuses on developing and introducing expanded education programs, exhibits, and initiatives that empower and enrich all children and all communities with STEM. Through our Traveling Science Program and distance learning initiative, ECHO, we are expanding beyond our Detroit-based facility, with a goal of reaching all 83 counties of Michigan. With the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, live stage shows, Michigan’s only IMAX®Dome Theatre, a Planetarium, lab activities, 250+ hands-on exhibits, and more, there are dozens of ways to customize your MiSci visit. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive support from the city of Detroit or the state of Michigan. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, Mi-Sci.org.

1001 Inventions is an award-winning, British-based organization that creates international educational campaigns and engaging transmedia productions aiming to raise awareness of the contributions to science, technology and culture from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization.

It’s another fantastic day at our facility as we prepare to welcome an international award-winning exhibition to Detroit.

1001 Inventions: Untold Stories from a Golden Age of Innovation will open at the Michigan Science Center on October 7. Detroit is just the fourth U.S. city to host this exhibition – following Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC.

1001 Inventions explores the legacy of scientific discovery and innovation during the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization, beginning in the 7th century and following the story through a thousand years of history and progress.

It showcases the diverse spectrum of bold thinkers and new technologies that were produced by this multi-faith, multi-cultural civilization, reaching from Spain to China during the period leading up to the European Renaissance.

1001 Inventions celebrates the scientific works of inspiring women and men through more than 60 engaging experiences, including interactive exhibits, short films, hands-on workshops, books and educational materials.

Today, we are here to welcome 1001 Inventions back to the United States—and to Michigan for the first time—with a “Passing of the Torch” ceremony. But, before we get to that, I would like to share a little bit more about the exhibition and how it mirrors our own community:

Throughout Detroit’s history, innovation has been the engine at the core of our identity, whether it was industry, the arts, social progress or technology. Detroit succeeds when we create new ways to make our ideas real. The things that give us all pride in our city - hard work, curiosity, ambition, diversity and the drive to go beyond our own expectations – were also hallmarks of the successes of Muslim Civilization during the Golden Age.

There is a strong case to be made that the Detroit area is one of the current epicenters of innovation in a variety of fields, making the rapid progress of the last few years possible, advancing entrepreneurship and prosperity despite a legacy of long-term challenges. Exploring the challenges and triumphs that we recognize in ourselves and in the period covered in this exhibition can inspire us to talk about where we’ve been, and where we’re headed.

You might even ask yourself: Are we living through another golden age of scientific discovery right now, both in the Greater Detroit Area, and as a global society?

As education in STEM fields takes on greater importance for school children and lifelong learners of all ages, this exhibition provides a variety of exciting learning opportunities that inspire the study of our science heritage, promote intercultural understanding, and foster mutual understanding and social inclusion.

This is an exploration of technology and innovation that has something for everyone – no matter your age. Anyone who is interested in history, culture or technology should experience this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

The Michigan Science Center has been honored to be a part of Detroit’s resurgence over the last few years, and we are eager to take this opportunity to attract visitors from all over Michigan, as well as the entire Midwest region and across the Canadian border.

We have a few guests with us today who have been instrumental in bringing this exhibition to the Michigan Science Center. They are members of “Friends of 1001 Inventions Michigan,” a dedicated and diverse group of local supporters who have been working over the past year to raise the money to provide all of our visitors with access to this great exhibition without having to pay an additional fee. Yes, you heard that correctly—the exhibition will be free for all visitors with a general admission ticket, and free for all school groups. Thank you for your commitment and effort.

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Video Message by Jeff Rudolph, President & CEO of the California Science Center

I'd like to express my deepest congratulations to my friend & colleague Dr. Tonya Matthews and to the Michigan Science Center for hosting the award-winning 1001 Inventions exhibition. It's great news that the exhibit is returning to the US.

The California Science Center was so pleased to host 1001 Inventions in its West Coast premiere in 2011. During its stay here we hosted over half a million visitors.

We have a practice of evaluating all exhibits we show at the California Science Center to determine how our guests feel about the exhibit, what they learned, and most important to us; did it further our mission of stimulating curiosity and inspiring science & learning in all. We found that 1001 Inventions was successful in all these areas. First our guests knew very little about the subject matter and the scientific contributions from Muslim civilization before seeing the exhibit. They reported they learned a great deal about this inventive period in the history of science. Our guests really enjoyed the exhibit as well they talked about a number of highlights, including the high-quality introductory film. The interaction with staff and costumed explainers was a favorite of almost everybody that came. The working elephant clock, which I have a small model of here, was something everyone mentioned. The medical instruments and inventions struck home for most of our guests.

Most importantly to us, almost three quarters of our guests who visited the exhibit stated that the exhibit inspired science & learning.

We were very proud to host this exhibit. It helped our guests understand that science is without borders. It helped them understand that genius & innovation occurs in all cultures, countries and ethnicities without borders.

Again, congrats to the Michigan Science Center on hosting this exhibition, and for making this opportunity available to your community & guests. We wish you the most success and a great run with the exhibit.

Thank you for attending and we encourage you to invite your friends, family, colleagues and neighbors to experience 1001 Inventions: Untold Stories from a Golden Age of Innovation. You can learn more about the exhibition and the Michigan Science Center by visiting our website, Mi-Sci.org. And remember—1001 Inventions is free for all visitors with paid general admission!